Volume 5, Chapter 326 – You Act Too Poorly, Let Me Do It (Part 7)

Indeed, those words were spoken by Qi Huang. She had been keeping a low profile to avoid unnecessary complications, but seeing the other party insult her true self, she could no longer hold back. If she let Ouyang Tong continue acting like this, both her and her main body’s hard-earned reputation would be ruined.

As Qi Huang’s voice fell, the entire courtyard fell into dead silence. Everyone turned their eyes toward her, expressions of shock written across their faces. Her roommates backed away in terror, fearing they might be implicated.

“Does this woman have a death wish?”

That was the first thought that crossed everyone’s mind.

Consort Hui was no exception. Never in her wildest dreams had she imagined that a mere newly arrived Consort would dare publicly reprimand her. It was as absurd as a ghost howling at the King of Hell in his own court.

Ouyang Tong was the only one who wasn’t shocked—instead, she was overjoyed. She had recognized the voice immediately—it belonged to the “palace maid” who had been bringing her meals.

‘It’s her?’

Ouyang Tong was so relieved she nearly cried. At this moment, she was utterly helpless, and any assistance, no matter how small, was like a lifeline in a snowstorm. It didn’t matter who the other party was or what their motives might be.

“You insolent wretch! How dare you disrespect Her Highness? Do you have a death wish?”

A eunuch loyal to Consort Hui was the first to react, screeching in a hoarse voice. Over a dozen other eunuchs and maids followed suit, surrounding Qi Huang like a pack of dogs unleashed by their master.

“Was it you who shouted just now?”

Consort Hui’s face darkened as she slowly stepped forward to interrogate.

“It was me.”

Qi Huang showed no fear.

“Chief Steward Zhou, is this the result of your Office of Palace Ceremonies’ training? It seems your position has reached its end.”

Consort Hui turned to reprimand Chief Steward Zhou.

“Your Highness, spare me! Spare me! This lowly official has failed in her duties!”

Chief Steward Zhou paled in horror, dropping to her knees with a thud. The other stewards followed suit, kowtowing desperately.

“She’s done for now, daring to defy Her Highness!”

“Exactly. A newly arrived Consort isn’t a true concubine, defying Her Highness is like slapping the Emperor’s face. No matter who she is, her head will roll.”

“Heh, this little girl must think she’s still outside the palace, free to act recklessly. Not only has she doomed herself, but she’ll probably drag her family down with her.”

The women around them whispered among themselves.

“Not only do you wear a veil in my presence, a grave discourtesy, but you dare offend me in broad daylight? Such a crime is unforgivable. Seize her and take her to the Palace Discipline Office!”

Consort Hui commanded her lackeys.

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The servants cracked their knuckles, closing in on Qi Huang.

Ouyang Tong’s face drained of color. Only now did she realize the severity of the situation, panic flooding back. After all, this woman was her benefactor.

‘If she hadn’t brought me food, I would have starved to death.’

With that thought, Ouyang Tong mustered her courage and spoke up:

“Your Highness, this matter arose because of me. If you must punish someone, punish me.”

Hearing this, Qi Huang smiled faintly. She felt her efforts these past few days had been worth it, the girl wasn’t ungrateful.

“You think just because you’re an Imperial Consort by decree, I won’t dare touch you? Don’t forget, you have no official rank yet.”

Consort Hui sneered before ordering her servants: “Take her as well.”

“Wait! Your Highness has misunderstood this commoner.”

Qi Huang raised a hand calmly.

“Misunderstood? You claim I misunderstood you?”

Consort Hui’s gaze turned icy.

“Yes. Just now, I wasn’t reprimanding Your Highness, I was reprimanding them!”

Qi Huang swept her gaze around before declaring righteously: “They dared whisper among themselves while Your Highness was speaking, such disrespect is intolerable! As a commoner, isn’t it my duty to admonish them on Your Highness’s behalf?”

Silence fell once more. No one had expected this turn of events. It seemed absurd, yet logical, after all, no sane person would dare reprimand a Consort.

But no one knew that Qi Huang was, in fact, not entirely sane.

Ouyang Tong stared at Qi Huang in disbelief. She hadn’t expected this girl, who looked even younger than herself, to remain so composed under pressure. If she were in Qi Huang’s place, she doubted she could even stand straight, let alone explain herself.

Consort Hui’s expression shifted from shock to contemplation before finally clearing like the sky after rain.

“So that’s how it is. You’re quite perceptive for a newly Consort, far more so than these useless servants of mine.”

Her tone softened, satisfaction coloring her words.

The dozen or so eunuchs and maids flushed with shame.

“This commoner thanks Your Highness for your praise.”

Qi Huang curtsied slightly.

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“Very well. In that case, I won’t punish you. Chief Steward Zhou, you may rise.”

Consort Hui waved dismissively.

Chief Steward Zhou and the others rose as if granted amnesty, their legs trembling like leaves in the wind.

“What is your name? And why do you wear that veil?”

Consort Hui turned back, curiosity piqued.

“Reporting to Your Highness, this commoner is Chen Yuzhu. I recently caught a chill and wore this veil to avoid spreading it to others.”

Qi Huang lied effortlessly.

“What? A chill?”

Consort Hui recoiled in alarm, taking several steps back.

Qi Huang’s roommates turned pale. Just a few nights ago, they had been sniffing around her like curious puppies.

“She clearly had a chill, yet lied and said it was wisdom tooth pain!”

They gritted their teeth. With the first selection just two days away, they couldn’t afford any mishaps.

“If it’s a chill, how would a mere veil help?”

A flicker of fear crossed Consort Hui’s face. “You will all remain here. My servants will search your quarters for the missing jade pendant. If it isn’t found, you’ll be free to go.”

With that, Consort Hui fled as if escaping disaster, abandoning her plans to torment Ouyang Tong.

Though reluctant, the maids didn’t dare complain.

Ouyang Tong exhaled deeply, her delicate face showing the exhaustion of someone who had narrowly escaped calamity.

Qi Huang’s lips curled slightly. Her goal had been to divert Consort Hui’s attention. If the Consort had continued harassing Ouyang Tong, the entire act might have ended before Qi Huang even had a chance to step in.

‘I’ll take her place as soon as I return. I can’t let her keep acting—the risk is too great.’

Qi Huang calculated silently. Though taking the stage herself carried the risk of exposure, Ouyang Tong’s terrible acting posed an even greater danger. If it came down to it, Qi Huang preferred to control her own fate.

Having made her decision, Qi Huang extended her Divine Sense to monitor the servants. Consort Hui’s behavior was far too suspicious.

Sure enough, her suspicions were soon confirmed. The servants didn’t conduct a real search, instead, they headed straight to Ouyang Tong’s room and discreetly slipped a ring beneath her bed. From its appearance, it seemed to be a Spatial Ring.

‘As expected, they’re up to no good.’

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Qi Huang smirked coldly.

When the servants returned, Consort Hui wasted no time in leaving the Office of Palace Ceremonies.

“Chen Yuzhu, how dare you! You had a chill and lied to us about tooth pain!”

“The first selection is in two days, what if you’ve infected us?”

“What can we do? We’ll have to switch rooms! But will Chief Steward Zhou even allow it?”

“Why should we move when she’s the one who’s sick?”

Her roommates swarmed her, demanding answers.

Qi Huang pondered briefly. If she wanted to replace Ouyang Tong, she needed freedom of movement. Her current shared quarters were too crowded, she couldn’t stay.

“Don’t worry. I’ll speak to Chief Steward Zhou. If she permits it, I’ll move out immediately.”

With that, Qi Huang went straight to Chief Steward Zhou.

“Chief Steward Zhou, I’ve caught a chill. If I stay in my current room, I might infect the others. May I be assigned a separate room to recuperate?”

She stated her purpose plainly.

Chief Steward Zhou hesitated. Space in the Office of Palace Ceremonies was limited, and she couldn’t bend the rules too freely.

“Chief Steward Zhou, you know how contagious chills are. If His Majesty holds you accountable, can you bear the consequences?”

Qi Huang pressed, her tone threatening.

“Granted! Granted!”

Chief Steward Zhou nodded repeatedly.

Satisfied, Qi Huang immediately set off after Ouyang Tong, who was lingering nearby.

Ouyang Tong hadn’t left immediately because she wanted to thank Qi Huang in person. She wasn’t a fool, though Qi Huang had claimed to be scolding the others, given her earlier kindness with the meals, it was clear she had been diverting Consort Hui’s attention to protect Ouyang Tong.

“Thank you for helping me—”

As Qi Huang approached, Ouyang Tong stepped forward to express her gratitude.

“Save it for later. Come with me.”

But Qi Huang walked straight past her.

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Ouyang Tong bit back her words and obediently followed.

Qi Huang led her to a secluded corner of the garden. After ensuring no one was around, she finally spoke:

“Say what you want to say.”

“Thank you for bringing me food… and for saving me today.”

Ouyang Tong bowed deeply.

“No need. It was my duty.”

Qi Huang lied smoothly.

“Duty? What duty?”

Ouyang Tong was stunned.

“To be honest, Chief Steward Zhong sent me to assist you. He feared you wouldn’t be able to handle things alone.”

Qi Huang lowered her voice.

“Really? That’s wonderful!”

Ouyang Tong’s face lit up with joy. It all made perfect sense, Chief Steward Zhong wouldn’t have placed her here without some form of support.

“Now it seems his worries were justified. You really can’t act.”

Qi Huang sighed. This wasn’t an act, she genuinely meant it.

“I’m sorry!”

Ouyang Tong bowed again.

“It’s fine. Acting requires talent, it can’t be forced.”

Qi Huang waved it off magnanimously. After all, Ouyang Tong had been dragged into this because of her.

“Don’t worry. After today, there are only two days left. Even if I must go without food or water, I’ll complete the mission.”

Ouyang Tong hurriedly vowed.

“Forget it. Your acting is too poor, let me take over.”

Qi Huang stated her purpose plainly.